Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren knows all about the benefits of a good youth system.

At Middlesbrough he arguably had one of the best Academies in the north – with Stewart Downing, James Morrison, Lee Cattermole, Luke Wilshire, David Wheater and Andrew Taylor all graduating to the first team during his time on Teesside.

McClaren has already taken a big interest in Newcastle’s Under-21s and Under-18s by blooding some players in pre-season and sending out some of the most promising youngsters on loan to the Football League.

Daniel Barlaser

Barlaser was included in the League Cup squad for the game with Sheffield Wednesday recently and is a regular in the reserves.

He was being fast-tracked by the Turkish FA due to his family roots but the Gateshead-born midfielder has now played for England Under-18s.

Barlaser has also moved into a central position in midfield where Newcastle feel they will get the best from his wide range of passing. But he can also play out wide very well and United have rewarded him with a pro contract.

Lewis Suddick

Position: Defender

Born: North Tyneside

Age: 18

@lewissuddick

Steve McClaren likes the look of this youngster and handed him a first team debut at York City in a pre-season friendly. He is the grandson of ex-Newcastle and Blackpool player Alan Suddick.

One of his footballing influences is Phillip Lahm and he is a product of Cramlington Juniors FC. Suddick will be looking to get a steady season in the reserves under Peter Beardsley this term.

Kyle Cameron

Position: Defender

Age: 18

@KyleCam49

The 6ft 2in defender was a star of last season’s FA Youth Cup run and will be hoping to show McClaren what he can do in the Under-21s this season.

Comfortable on the ball and good in the air, the teenager has already impressed reserve team fans in the last year or so.

Cameron has also been capped at youth level with Scotland.

Gideon Adu-Peprah

Position: Left-back

Age: 17

@Gids99

Adu-Peprah joined the club after leaving Manchester City Academy this summer.

He was an off-the-radar signing who was supposed to be pitched into the under-18s but he has already impressed United’s coaching team – and has played for Beardsley’s second string. Newcastle are short of cover at left-back at the moment so there’s a good chance for him to kick on this season and apply pressure to the first team pool.

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Jamie Sterry

Position: Defender

Age: 19

@JamieSterry2

The tough-tackling defender signed a new professional deal this summer and was promoted to the first team squad at the start of the season. He has been in a number of first team squads already but is yet to make his debut.

After recovering from injuries early in his career he is now ready to take things to the next level. His dad Lee Sterry was a promising player who was forced to retire through injury and he is also eligible to play for Italy due to his grandfather Franco, who was born in Sicily.

Jamie Sterry signs a professional contract with Newcastle United

Tom Heardman

Position: Striker

Age: 19

The Gosforth lad attended Royal Grammar School and is a lifelong Newcastle supporter who used to watch on from the Gallowgate End.

He has already trained regularly with the first team and has spent a loan spell at Gateshead.

The teenager scored for the Under-21s last season against Stoke City and was close to going to the United States in pre-season before he suffered an ankle injury. Fit-again, Heardman offers McClaren a bit of height in attack but could well be loaned out later this season.

Macaulay Gillesphey

Position: Defender

Age: 19

@gillesphey

Gillesphey is on loan at League Two Carlisle United and recently made his debut at Liverpool in the Capital One Cup 1-1 draw with Liverpool. He now has four first team appearances under his belt with the Cumbrians.

Gillesphey has been a regular in the reserves for the last three seasons and is now getting the first team experience he needs in the Football League.

Liam Smith

Position: Midfielder

Age: 19

Another who signed a professional deal this summer, the player is even featured on video game FIFA 16.

He was a star on last season’s FA Youth Cup run at Newcastle and Beardsley is doing a great job nurturing him through the second string ranks. The hard-working midfielder hails from South Shields.

Matty Longstaff

Position: Midfield

Born: North Tyneside

Age: 15

@mattylobby48

The Geordie youngster started his career with North Shields Juniors before joining the Academy.

He has been playing for Newcastle Under-16s for the last two seasons and recently scored a thumping goal against Middlesbrough in a 2-1 win which ended up being a Youtube hit. Longstaff is the younger brother of Sean Longstaff who has also caught the eye in the reserves.

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Mackenzie Heaney

Position: Midfield

Age: 16

@HeaneyKenzie7

This Walker lad can play a bit, and he’s already had Scotland and England fighting over his services.

He opted for the Three Lions and scored recently for the Under-16s. Heaney is left-footed and was discovered by the same scout - Brian Clark - who discovered Gazza, Lee Clark and the Ameobi brothers. Heaney will get the chance to shine in the FA Youth Cup this season.

Sean Longstaff

Position: Midfield

Age: 17

@seanlongstaff97

Longstaff hit double figures for the club last season and is a presence in the Newcastle reserve squad. He is technically gifted and has an eye for goal, which reserve team viewers have already witnessed plenty of times.

The son of former Great Britain ice hockey captain David, Longstaff will be looking for a season of progress in the Under-21s with a view to going on loan next year.

Alex Gilliead

Position: Midfield

Age: 19

@AlexGilliead

Also on loan at Carlisle at the moment and getting some much-needed experience. The striker-cum-right winger’s contract is up next year so this season is a big one for him.

The Consett lad made his first team debut at Sheff Wed in a friendly last year. Gilliead has made five appearances so far for the Cumbrians.

Alex Gilliead tries to break through

Cal Roberts

Position: Winger

Age 18

@Calroberts_

A real talent for the Magpies who has already made a big impression for the reserves this season. He scored an eye-catching goal in the 2-2 draw with West Ham after a mazy run at Upton Park when he finished the move by sticking the ball in the top corner.

Geordie boy Roberts was loaned to Gateshead last season but the move didn’t really work out as Gary Mills gave him limited chances and even tried to play him in a reserve team game for the Tynesiders. At that stage he was instantly recalled but if he has a steady run in the Under-21s this season he could be farmed out on loan again if Newcastle find a club that will give him game-time.

He started his youth career with Whitley Bay Scroggs.

Paul Woolston

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 16

@PAULHW_

The North Shields lad has been working with the first team this season and fans may recognise him from warm-ups at home games as the club give him a feel for the big stage at St James’ Park.

He is an England youth international and kept a clean sheet on his debut against an Under-21 Man United team last season.

Yannick Aziakonou

Position: Midfield

Age: 16

Born in Togo, the midfielder was raised on Tyneside and kept on at the Academy last year. The St Cuthberts school pupil has signed a scholarship with the Magpies and is now part of Dave Watson’s Under-18s squad.

His youth career took place at Newcastle Westgate and he also was a keen athlete during his school days.

Owen Gallacher

Position: Striker

Age: 16

@Gallacher9

This lad may look familiar to older fans – that’s because he’s a chip off the old block!

The son of ex-Newcastle striker John Gallacher has been performing well in the Academy and has also been capped by Scotland at Under-16 level.

Last season he was handed a new deal by Joe Joyce at Little Benton.

Ben Pollock

Position: Centre-back

Age: 17

@Ben_Pollockk

The son of former Middlesbrough and Man City star Jamie Pollock. Newcastle have him under contract for another two years and he can play in the heart of defence or centre of midfield.

The former Yarm School pupil played in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland for Newcastle this summer.

Ben Pollock

Louis Johnson

Position: Striker

Age: 18

Johnson has scored plenty of goals for the Under-18s and also made the bench for the first team against York City in pre-season. He has been at United for five years after being spotted playing for Marton FC.

Jamie Cobain

Position: Defender

Age: 18

@JamieCobain96

Cobain had injury problems two years ago but has bounced back to impress coaches. He has played four times in the Under-21s this season and is described by the club as an “accomplished” full-back. His brother Nathan plays at Hartlepool Academy.

Adam Laidler

Position: Left-back

Age: 18

@adamlaidler96

Newcastle discovered the defender on a Newcastle Foundation coaching course and offered him a trial. He quickly impressed and was handed a contract.

The left-footed player can also play on the wing and started his youth career at Whitley Bay Sproggs.